The Lightkeeper's Bride

by Colleen Coble

  “Your half would be ten thousand dollars.”

  A fortune. It would care for her mother for some time even after paying Florence. “Perhaps the boat isn’t at any of the places I suggested,” she said.

  “We shall see.” He grinned and then moved a checker piece. “You could always marry Bert.”

  “Bart,” she corrected.

  “He looks like a Bert. All proper and full of starch. He wouldn’t contradict his mother if you paid him.”

  “You don’t even know him.”

  “What’s to know? He’s had a silver spoon in his mouth all his life and has never had to work for a thing.”

  She couldn’t deny it. “You can scarcely hold his birthright against him. Besides, he doesn’t plan to take over his father’s business. He wants to open a Macy’s.”

  “Just as I said. Too proper to get his hands dirty.”

  “You’re goading me now.”

  He grinned. “Maybe a little. He’s not good enough for you.”

  “You don’t even know him. Or me.”

  “I know you better than you think. I haven’t shared this house with you for about a week now without realizing you long for adventure but you’re too afraid to go after it.”

  She shifted on her chair and glanced away from his penetrating eyes. “I like things to stay calm and controlled,” she said. “Adventure is too uncertain for me.”

  “Nice try.” He chuckled.

  “I don’t like surprises,” she said. “If I know what’s going on, I can plan for every eventuality.”

  “You’re not convincing me. It’s more than that. You jumped in that boat without a hat and came running to find me. If you were as staid as you’d like people to believe, you would have waited to let the constable take care of it.” His gaze dropped to her lips.

  He was remembering that kiss of life. The same way she was. The moment stretched out between them until she gave an uncertain laugh and moved a checker piece. “Your turn,” she said.

  Surely it wasn’t disappointment that lodged in her belly when he dragged his gaze from her to the board.

  TWENTY-THREE

  WILL SAW THE ship nearly to the dock. It might be the Hanson Queen but it was hard to tell from here. He noticed Katie struggling to keep up with him and slowed his stride to match hers.

  “Is that the ship we’re watching for?”

  “I think so. It’s one that size.” He yawned.

  “You haven’t slept yet. Philip should be doing this.”

  “He’s still sleeping off his liquor.”

  He offered his hand to assist her onto the pier, and after a moment’s hesitation, she put her gloved fingers in his palm. Once they were on the rough boards, she started to pull away but he held fast. “The walking surface is uneven.”

  Her cheeks colored but she let him keep possession of her hand. Her gaze darted up and down the dock, and he wondered if she was assessing the occupants for anyone who might recognize her.

  She tugged her hand free then placed it on his elbow. “It’s a bit more proper,” she whispered.

  He grinned. “I dare you to take off your hat and let your hair down from its pins.”

  Her full lips curved in a smile. “I don’t think so.”

  The docking of the ship broke his bantering mood. He read the name on the bow: Hanson Queen. “That’s it,” he said. “I’m going to talk to the captain. You wait here.”

  Her fingers tightened on his arm. “I think not. My presence here might be misconstrued if I’m alone.”

  “Of course. Forgive me, I would never put you in a compromising position. I’ll wait until he disembarks then approach him.” He stepped to the side of the dock as the sailors poured down the gangway. Several armed men in uniform stepped onto the dock and took up position on either side. At least the ship had protection, as reported.

  The number of exiting sailors slowed to a crawl. When no one had disembarked for several minutes, he straightened. “Let’s talk to an officer since the captain hasn’t come out.”

  They approached the closest officer, who gave Will a sharp look then lifted a curious smile to Katie. Will tamped down the jealousy that surged in his gut. She didn’t belong to him.

  “Good morning,” he said. “I’m glad to see you’re guarding this ship.

  I have information that indicates pirates may have targeted it. Could you fetch the captain?”

  “You questioning our ability to protect this ship, buster?” the sailor demanded.

  “Of course not. I just wanted to pass along the warning.”

  “Duly noted. We’re allowing no loitering around the ship. I suggest you be on your way.”

  He wasn’t going to get far with the man. “Come along, Katie,” he said. He led her away. “Touchy fellow.”

  “At least you told him. If anything happens, it’s no fault of yours.

  And the sailor seemed competent.” She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at the fellow who was staring after her.

  “He was quite taken with you.”

  She glanced up at him from under the brim of her hat. “He was being polite.”

  “I think not.”

  “You sound angry.”

  “I’m not angry. Just . . . concerned.” He nearly laughed at his defensive tone. What a fool he was. If she harbored no tender feelings for him, the best thing to do was squelch the emotion churning his gut.

  She said nothing for several minutes until the noise of the dock was a dull hum behind them and they were walking along the sand back to the lighthouse. “You’ve been engaged in my personal life but have said little about your own beyond your parents’ unfortunate deaths.”

  “I’m touched you care,” he said, his grin widening.

  “Forgive me,” she said, her tone frosty, “I didn’t intend to pry.” Her gaze stayed down and didn’t meet his. “I merely wondered if we should expect a fiancée to join you soon. This town has never had a bachelor for a lightkeeper. Most have families to keep them company.”

  “I’ve never been even close to marriage,” he said. When her expression didn’t change, he touched her chin with his fingers and tipped her face up. “Look at me, Katie.”

  “We should be getting back,” she said, looking away. “My shift on the switchboard is about to start.”

  No more games. “I care about you much more than I should,” he said.

  Her lids opened wide and she met his gaze. Her shocked expression delighted him. He bent his head, and his lips brushed hers. Their warmth coaxed him to kiss her again.

  She jerked away and stepped back. “Mr. Jesperson!”

  His grin widened. “And here I thought we were on a first-name basis.”

  “You’re being quite forward.” She swallowed but didn’t look away.

  “I should apologize but I’m not one bit sorry.”

  Her cheeks flamed with color and she put her gloved fingers to her mouth. Her eyes were sparkling and he didn't think it was with outrage. She hadn't slapped him either. He was going to make an attempt to woo her, he decided. While he might not succeed, he couldn't just give in and let that dandy from town have her without a fight.

  The service was poorly attended but Katie hadn't expected the church to be full with the sickness around. She sat in the third pew on the right with Will, who held Jennie, and Lady Carrington. Philip had made an excuse and disappeared down to the docks. She was very conscious of the bulk of Will's arm when it occasionally brushed hers. She had barely slept the last few nights. All she could think about was his kiss on the beach.

  She could almost feel Bart's eyes drilling into the back of her head. He sat two rows back with his mother and father. She'd had to refuse his insistence on her sitting with them, since there was no room in their pew for all of them. But she admitted to herself that even if there had been room, she would have preferred to sit elsewhere. It made no sense. Every time Bart made an attempt to draw her closer into his family circle, she resisted. What was the matt
er with her? Bart could give her the respectability she craved, but all she could think about was Will, just inches away.

  When the service ended, she spoke with friends and acquaintances. Most reported improving conditions of those afflicted with smallpox. She trailed out the front door and down the steps behind Will and the rest of her little family. Family. That was how she was coming to think of the group staying at the lighthouse. Such notions needed to be stamped out.

  A flicker of movement by a live oak tree caught her attention. A woman stepped out from the shelter of the tree. The large chapeau obscured her face, but Katie didn’t have to see the rouge on her cheeks and lips or the pompadour to know it was Florence. Her hands clenched the handle of her bag as Will turned to look at her.

  He frowned and glanced back as though to see what had so alarmed her. “Is there someone you need to see?”

  The woman edged behind the tree, obviously having accomplished her mission. “No, no one.” Even if she was not intended for Bart, even if she fell for another, it would be devastating if her birth mother’s identity came out now.

  Katie reached for the baby, who gurgled her vowels at her. The soft warmth of little Jennie’s body comforted her. She pressed a kiss on the baby’s curls and turned her back on the woman. Go away, please go away. The women wouldn’t be so bold as to approach her in front of everyone.

  The Fosters joined them. “Is there anything I can do for your dear mother, Katie?” Mrs. Foster asked. The smile she directed to the baby appeared strained. “And how is your father?” She uttered the last word in a hushed tone, disapproval tugging at her mouth.

  “I so appreciate your willingness to help,” Katie said, shuffling Jennie to the other arm. “I’ve spoken with Mama every day of late, and she’s quite improved. The servants have been taking good care of her. Papa is also growing stronger.”

  “Would you care to join us for dinner?” Bart put in.

  His mother shot him a quick glance, which Katie interpreted as a rebuke. A few drops of rain plopped onto the sidewalk. “Thank you, but I must get the baby out of the weather. It’s beginning to rain.”

  Bart nodded. “Things will be back to normal soon. This quarantine will end and you’ll be back home. I’ll be able to take you to dinner and the nickelodeon.” His voice held deep satisfaction.

  His mother’s smile was stiff. “And we’ll have a dinner party to announce your engagement.”

  Katie saw Will tense. She clutched the baby to her chest a little too tightly, and Jennie squirmed. “We—we’re not engaged, Mrs. Foster.”

  The woman’s brow lifted, and she glanced at her son. “After you’re engaged, of course,” she said.

  Had Bart told his parents they were engaged? Maybe even purchased a ring? Katie’s throat closed at the thought. She wasn’t ready.

  It was one thing to think about marrying him, but another thing altogether to actually take that step.

  The woman under the tree moved again, and Katie realized that even if she were ready to marry Bart, she might not have the option if the woman told anyone the truth. Everyone, even Will, would think she had withheld the truth of her heritage. And she had. She needed to get Florence out of town before the Fosters and everyone else in town found out about her. But Katie had no idea how to accomplish it.

  Jennie reached for Will. He took her, and Katie turned away. “I’m going inside the church a moment.” She desperately needed the release of tears and to seek God’s succor right now. There was no one to talk to, no one to share her problems with except God.

  “We’ll be in the carriage. Take your time,” Will said.

  Through a rapidly building blur of tears, she directed a pleading glance at Bart, and he nodded stiffly. If she’d offended him, she was most sorry, but she couldn’t stand here making small talk another moment. She lifted her skirts and hurried across the wet grass to the church door.

  The scent of old wood and wax greeted her when she stepped inside and approached the altar. The solitude of the holy place descended on her. She sat on the front row in the wash of light from the stained glass window above the pulpit and clasped her hands in her lap. With her head bowed, she pleaded for strength to do whatever was necessary to care for her parents and for Florence to leave town before the truth came out.

  Was that even something she could pray for? Wasn’t God all about truth? She’d been living a lie for twenty years. No, not a lie. Her true parents were the Russells. The woman who had birthed her was no more than a brood mare. Katie’s allegiance was to the mother who had soothed her hurts and braided her hair. Calm washed over her.

  What gain would Florence receive from revealing Katie’s heritage? All leverage would be gone. The woman had as much to lose as Katie.

  The door creaked behind her, and she turned to see a figure slip through the door. The wide chapeau betrayed her identity. “You shouldn’t have come. Someone might see you.”

  “They’ll just think I was a fancy woman who is finally repenting,” she said with a saucy laugh.

  Katie winced at such crude talk. “Why are you following me?”

  Her satin skirts swishing, Florence drew nearer. “I thought about what you said when we spoke before. I think you need to know the truth now. My dear sister probably never told you the whole story, has she?”

  Katie stared at the woman, willing her to tell what had happened so long ago. “Truth?”

  “Albert was mine first. My sister was his second choice. I wanted to be an actress and Albert couldn’t deal with it.” Her beautiful face scowled. “No one tells me what to do. I was determined to show him I could succeed, so when I had the opportunity to join a vaudeville show, I took it. It was only after I left that I discovered you were on your way, but I wasn’t about to go back to Albert and hear his ‘I told you so.’”

  Katie passed her hand over her forehead. “Y–you mean he’s my real father?” She’d always believed her parents were really her aunt and uncle. It explained so much. Why her father constantly said what trash Florence was. Every thought of her brought up memories of his own indiscretions.

  Florence’s eyes flashed with triumph. “I knew you were an innocent to my sister’s scheming ways.”

  Florence was close enough now for Katie to smell the perfume she wore. It was something spicy and overpowering. Strong enough to make Katie’s eyes water. Florence had left the gentle fragrance of lily of the valley behind.

  Katie stood and faced the woman. “Yet they raised me and you didn’t.”

  Florence’s eyes flashed. “Come now, you appear to have fared just fine.”

  She reached out and touched a curl of Katie’s hair. It took everything in her not to shy away from her touch. “If you’re smart, my darling, you’ll run far away from that uptight man in the tweed jacket. I’ve seen his type before. He’ll expect perfection. What will he do when he finds out your real mother is a woman of the world?”

  There was so much more to it than Florence was saying. Katie had to know all of it. “Why were we even in Mercy Falls? To ask for money?”

  Florence winced and Katie realized she’d guessed right. “That’s it? You wanted money?”

  “Raising a kid isn’t cheap! It was time he paid his share. But he paid up. Oh yes, indeed. My dear sister was determined to have you since she couldn’t have any of her own. It was the perfect time for them since only your father had arrived in town.” Florence fumbled with a sequined bag and withdrew an embroidered hanky. She dabbed at her eyes. “It wasn’t easy for me, Katie. Not easy at all. I love you. I always have.”

  For a moment Katie almost believed it until Florence put down the hanky and Katie saw a hard shine in her eyes. “If you loved me, you wouldn’t want to cause trouble for me. You’d leave and never come back rather than try to ruin my life.”

  “I wish I could, but I’m broke, darling. I don’t like putting the squeeze on you, but I have no choice.” Her voice took on a wheedling tone. “Surely your loving father has put the mone
y I need at your disposal.”

  Katie shook her head. “He has not. I’m not even sure how we will survive on the little left in the bank. It will be a while before Papa is back to work. His business is failing. We may have to sell everything.”

  Florence’s placating manner vanished. “I know a lie when I hear it, Katie. I’ll give you a few more days. If you won’t give me the money, I’ll see if your intended can spare some for the mother of his wife-to-be.”

  Katie watched Florence saunter toward the door and knew the woman would do exactly as she threatened, if only for revenge against Mama.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  THE RAIN SETTLED into a drizzle. Will peered through the curtain of gray toward the church. Still no sign of Katie. Jennie slept on Lady Carrington’s lap. The horses stamped their hooves impatiently. “I’ll be right back,” he told her. He shoved open the carriage door and stepped out into the rain.

  The cold drops bounced off his hat. He skirted mud puddles and hurried to the door of the church. In the vestibule he shook the moisture from his clothes and glanced toward the sanctuary door, where he heard the low murmur of voices. He recognized Katie’s voice but not the other woman’s. Interrupting them might not be a good idea.

  The woman drew closer to the door and said, “I know a lie when I hear it, Katie. I’ll give you a few more days. If you won’t give me the money, I’ll see if your intended can spare some for the mother of his wife-to-be.”

  He stepped around a pillar and caught a glimpse of a gaudily dressed woman as she moved through the vestibule and exited the church. The smirk on her face raised his ire. He puzzled over the words he’d heard. It sounded as though she had demanded money from Katie. What had she meant about being Katie’s mother? She resembled Katie, but the woman didn’t seem to have any pox on her face, and she’d been out in public when she was supposed to be quarantined. But why would she attempt to blackmail Katie?

  He moved back through the vestibule then opened the door to the sanctuary. The sound of soft weeping made him pause in the doorway. He saw Katie kneeling at the altar under the stained glass window. Sobs shook her shoulders and she fumbled for a hanky in the sleeve of her dress. She dabbed at her eyes then rose and turned toward the door.